Budget Committee Pushes Through New Requirements For Food Stamp Users

The Joint Finance Committee approved a budget provision that requires poor people to work part time or undergo job training to get food stamps.

The plan would effectively mirror federal law, but in the process, it would push an estimated 31,000 able-bodied adults without kids off of the FoodShare program in Wisconsin. Cory Mason (D-Racine) called it one of the most “mean-spirited things” he had seen come through the budget committee, telling Republicans they were voting to take away poor peoples’ food.

“Part of what’s motivated me and inspired me to do public service has to do with genuinely trying to provide for people who are the least amongst us, and this is about as far away from that as you can get.”

GOP lawmakers made minor tweaks to what Governor Scott Walker proposed in his budget, but the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau says it would still cost state taxpayers about $22 million a year once it’s up and running. Because the federal government pays food stamp benefits, state government would see no direct savings. But Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) says that’s not the point.

“We’re not doing this because we’re going to save money for the state of Wisconsin, quite the opposite. We’re willing to put money in this program because we recognize the value of work.”

The plan passed on a party line vote. It’s estimated to reduce the amount of federal food stamp benefits paid to Wisconsin residents by more than $70 million a year.